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12.6 Million is a BIG Number

That’s how many non-elderly adults (36% of those who tried to purchase health insurance in the individual insurance market) were discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the past three years. You can read more alarming facts about the number of Americans being denied coverage at healthreform.gov.

The status quo that allows for discrimination based on pre-existing conditions has real consequences: millions of Americans do not have access to adequate health care. We’ve all heard the horror stories about people behind denied the care they need because of pre-existing conditions, which is why the President recently unveiled the Health Insurance Consumer Protections. These protections show how health insurance reform will provide security for you and your family, and guarantee you will never be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

You’ve probably heard the rumors out there that the health reform will lead to "rationing" of care, or will cut funding for our seniors. These stories simply aren’t true. As Kavita Patel, M.D. points out in her video, rationing is happening in our broken health insurance system right now and reform will provide affordable access and restore control over medical decisions to patients and their doctors.

In fact, the President’s plan will benefit all Americans by lowering costs, increasing quality of care, and providing choice. Even if you’re happy with your insurance now, health insurance reform will provide security and stability by ensuring that if you ever need to make a change you or your family members won’t face discriminating and unfair practices in the future.